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Posts tagged HD video
Exclusive Review: Panasonic HDC-SD600 1080/50p cam
Apr 29th
Whilst we were all getting ourselves geared up for the company’s “700″ series flagship, Panasonic sneaked the new HDC-SD600 in under the radar. We managed to grab one the second it hit UK shores – and here’s what we think of it.
Panasonic HDC-SD600 1080p AVCHD Camcorder
The new Panasonic HDC-SD600 can, it’s fair to say, be considered as a slight cut-down of the HDC-SD700 model in that it offers just about everything that model has but lacks an external mic input or headphone output.
We can safely assume that Panasonic wishes to attract a market that’s positioned just below the so-called serious enthusiast who wishes to use external microphones and headphones yet seeks the same superb images, thanks to three CMOS imaging sensors. The company has also taken steps to provide users with the option of recording full 50 frame progressive-scan 1920×180 high definition image sequences.
What do we think of it? See our exclusive review of the Panasonic HDC-SD600 right here.
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Panasonic HDC-SD600: Unboxed and ready to go!
Apr 14th
Let it not be said that the PR team at Panasonic UK aren’t up for a challenge. After yesterday’s HDC-SD600 announcement, we challenged them to get us a sample within 24 hours. And they did!
Here it is – Panasonic’s latest 3MOS, 1080/50p AVCHD high-definition camcorder. Only yesterday did we reveal the news that it was to join the Panasonic line-up and today we have a brand new sample right here on the SimplyDV editorial desk.
Panasonic HDC-SD600 on the SimplyDV Editor's desk
Perhaps we should be honest and say that at least one member of the SimplyDV editorial team will be schlepping around on the western Algarve in Portugal over the next few days and it was in this context that those nice people at Panasonic were invited to let the newly-announced HDC-SD600 to join the party! They rose to the challenge admirably. Let’s hope it’s not raining in Portugal!
We’ll make sure that we get a range of great 1080/50p AVCHD test shots for you, which will accompany our exclusive review in full-HD as soon as we’re back and hitting the keyboard in earnest.
Meanwhile, if you need more info then please check out the news story posted only yesterday.
Update: Okay, so we’ve given up on the Portugal trip due to the dramatic impact of a certain Icelandic volcano on our flight plans. The camcorder will now get its first UK test drive in Devon and Cornwall where – unlike southern Portugal – it’s not raining heavily! (Editor)
Sony bloggie goes Snowbombing
Apr 12th
Sony shows off its “bloggie” HD camcorder at the 2010 Winter Music Festival and features interviews with Fatboy Slim, The Enemy and others, all shot with the pocket-sized camcorder
Sony MHS-CM5 Bloggie HD Camcorder (black) in use
The revolutionary Sony bloggie MHS-CM5 HD Camcorder is the official camera partner for Snowbombing 2010, the winter sports and music festival, which is currently taking place in Mayrhofen, Austria.
According to its maker, the bloggie’s unique shooting capabilities allow HD video clips and super-sharp still images to be taken for quick and easy uploading to the web – and that makes it ideal for widespread use at the event, we’re told.
Exclusive footage from the festival has been made available which features interviews with Fatboy Slim, The Enemy and many more, alongside clips from the celebrity road-trip and the slopes.
Road Trip mash-up
In this clip, follow Barry Peters and Son, the alter ego of the Cuban Bros, as they go on the road trip to Snowbombing with Sony bloggie joined by Tom from The Enemy and Jon McClure from Reverend and the Makers (all shot with bloggie cameras):
Fatboy Slim talks about babies. And David Byrne. And Imelda Marcos. And shoes. Is it an age thing?
In this clip, Fatboy Slim is interviewed by Barry Peters, the alter ego of the Cuban Bros. In it, they discuss such things as Norm’s collaboration with David Byrne in creating a musical about Imelda Marcos (the wife of the Philipino Despot and collector of shoes). They also discuss really important stuff like babies – and neither of them says “ahhh bless” once during the chat. Obviously, Norman leaves that to his missus (Zoe Ball):
About bloggie
From the slopes to après-ski parties the new MMC camera from Sony is (according to the company) “the perfect match for Snowbombing” which offers a fusion of youth, music, dance and snow sports such as boarding and skiing. The innovative 360 degree lens attachment of the Sony MHS-CM5 bloggie HD Camcorder offers intriguing 360-degree video recording designed to allow users to shoot their tricks on the slopes from a unique perspective.
What is Snowbombing?
Founded in 1999, Snowbombing is fast becoming Europe’s biggest winter music festival, and with social networking a key part of life for a generation whose experiences are shared online, Sony is doing its bit to ensure that the bloggie will help this phenomenon to grow even more. The line-up at this year’s festival includes Fatboy Slim, Editors, Doves, The Enemy, 2Many DJs and Friendly Fires.
Source: Sony UK Press Release. Additional text by Colin Barrett, SimplyDV
Review: Canon Legria HF-S21
Apr 9th
Canon’s flagship Legria HF S21 offers full 24Mbps 1920×1080 HD video recording plus 25P progressive scan video and is already grabbing the attention of serious videomakers. But can it improve on its predecessors?
In the last year or so, Canon, Sony and JVC have incorporated the highest 24Mbps bit rate recording option on their premium consumer / semi-professional AVCHD camcorder ranges.
Only Panasonic has so far limited maximum bit rates at 17Mbps due to problems that can exist when copying to DVD and then playing back using other complementary devices. Given that it’s not in the business of selling players or TV displays Canon has no such issues, and has pushed ahead to offer a maximum bit rate that is certain to find continued favour with the more serious videomakers in the market place.
2010 Flagship Model: Canon LEGRIA HF S21 AVCHD Camcorder
The latest flagship AVCHD camcorder from Canon offers five HD video recording modes, ranging from the 5Mbps, 1440×1080 “LP” mode at the lower end to a 17Mbps, 1920×1080 “FXP” mode as well as 24Mbps, 1920×1080 “”MXP” mode at the top end. The enthusiast will welcome the PF25 Cine Mode, which enables shooting in 25P progressive scan (24P in NTSC markets like USA, Canada, Japan, etc).
There’s also a host of standard features like PreREC (the camera continually caches 3 seconds of recording even when in standby in order that you don’t miss an unexpected action), multiple Face Detection, a built-in ability to trim clips or build playlists in-camera, fast start, and so on.
These are supplemented by enthusiasts’ must-have features like an external microphone input, headphone output and a good level of manual control over all main operations thanks to its Control dial which sits snug to the large 58mm diameter lens barrel.
We’ve had a good look at the Legria HF S21 and we’re very impressed with Canon’s new top-of-the-range AVCHD product.
Read our review of the Canon LEGRIA HF-S21 AVCHD camcorder here
MAGIX Movie Edit Pro 16 debuts in UK
Mar 3rd
Movie Edit Pro 16, from the innovative German digital media software company MAGIX, is finding increasing favour among serious video-making enthusiasts as well as with complete newbies.
MAGIX Movie Edit Pro 16
MAGIX has at last announced the UK availability of the next generation of its successful and innovative video editing tool, Movie Edit Pro.
Available in two versions – a Classic version for beginners as well as a Plus for more ambitious users – Movie Edit Pro 16 could be the ideal solution for multi-format video editing, sound mixing and multiple-output format sharing.
We’re assured by MAGIX that the new application is designed to give the user effortless video capture, straightforward editing, “spectacular” 3D effects, a large selection of titles and fades and “brilliant” soundtrack building and mixing.
As today’s camcorder users have now come to expect, edited results can be burned to an interactive CD/DVD or exported to the web (eg: YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo, etc) or to a mobile media player, such as an iPhone.
With high definition formats like AVCHD now dominating consumer camcorder formats, it’s essential that video editing products provide full support, and to that end MAGIX claims that it’s even easier to import and edit the whole range of commonly-used video formats in addition to applying any number of impressive visual special effects as well as background music and animated DVD and even Blu-ray Disc (BD) menus.
MAGIX Movie Edit Pro 16 – great for video editing newbies?
Here’s a summary of MAGIX Movie Edit 16′s main features:
- Upload videos to YouTube directly in HD quality.
- Free selection of audio track in multi-audio VOBs on DVDs.
- Flexible track number selection.
- Title editor with improved quality and direct previewing.
- Improved audio monitoring option in the timeline.
- Screenshot function.
- Object zoom function for even more precise effects control.
- Countless improvements in details.
Also included with the above is a copy of the brand-new MAGIX PC Check & Tuning 2010 – claimed by the company to provide the unique complete solution for intelligent checking maintenance and acceleration for PCs and laptops – something that’s pretty essential when editing complex video projects. The software is included free, even though is has a typical retail value of £29.99.
MAGIX Movie Edit Pro 16 Plus – taking on the big guys
MAGIX Movie Edit Pro 16 Plus, claimed by MAGIX to be the best version to date, promises an unlimited selection of high quality editing tools, powerful dubbing instruments and countless special effects. The package offers more ambitious video-makers 99 tracks, full HD support, one-of-a-kind travel route animation, innovative MultiCam editing, expanded menu design, countless special effects ready for the big screen, 5.1 Dolby Digital sound and more.
Movie Edit Pro 16 Plus Features:
- Secondary colour correction for impressive colour effects.
- Blu-ray and AVCHD discs with animated menis.
- Completely revised DVD menu design.
- Title editor with improved quality and direct previewing.
- Object zoom function for even more precise effects control.
- Unique travel route animation.
- Upload videos to YouTube directly in HD quality.
- Flexible track number selection.
- Level display for audio file import.
- Upload videos to the new Vimeo video portal.
- Generation of colour fields/test images.
- PC performance benchmarking for optimized presets.
- Music Editor 3.0 with optimized user guidance.
- Free selection of audio tracks in multi-audio VOBs.
- BONUS! proDAD Adorage starter package (with 155 effects).
- Countless improvements in details.
It’s good to see European software developers facing up to the big names in a field that’s dominated by American brands, so we’re pleased to see MAGIX increasing its foothold in what is undoubtedly a tricky market.
UK Price and Availability
Both products – MAGIX Movie Edit Pro 16 and Movie Edit Pro 16 Plus – are available now for SRP ￡49.99 and ￡69.99 inc VAT from Amazon and PC World.
Sanyo debuts “smallest, thinnest” HD camera
Mar 2nd
It caused a bit of a stir when first revealed at CES last month and now Sanyo has confirmed its launch plans for what it describes as the smallest, thinnest and lightest full HD camera ever – its Xacti VPC-CS1 Dual Camera.
The tiny Dual Camera shoots both full 1080i HD footage and 8 megapixel still shots, despite having a body thickness of a mere one inch (2.7cm). Available in two colours, metallic silver and magenta, both models will be available throughout the UK from Friday, March 5, with a street price in the region of £249.
Available in 2 colours - the world's smallest, thinnest full-HD camera
Dominic Jones, Marketing Manager for Sanyo UK is confident that the new models will meet the needs of a growing sector of the camcorder market: “The Xacti VPC-CS1 combines Sanyo’s unique technological capabilities with a level of style, simplicity and elegance never before seen in the pocket camera marketplace. We believe this is a watershed product that will prove popular across a broad range of audiences, from teens to grandparents.”
Capture everything wherever you are
The company has given the CS1 a redesigned pistol grip chassis that not only makes it the smallest and most slender full HD camera available but, combined with its 285-degree tilting screen designed to capture any angle, makes it fun and simple to use. We’re reminded that the concept of pocket camcorders is that you should be able to carry your camera with you everywhere, ready to capture the moment wherever you are.
The camera has a 10x Advanced Zoom lens, which Sanyo describes as being “perfect” for snapping the action from a distance and automatic adjustments are made to ensure the best possible image quality whether shooting on a beach or a nightclub. The adjustable, fold out 2.7inch TFT LCD screen is designed to display the action clearly at all times from any angle and in a variety of light conditions. The camera features a mini HDMI port which enables direct connection to a HDTV for full HD playback.
Perfect for Facebook, YouTube and MySpace
Sharing footage taken with the Xacti CS1 is as easy as shooting it and the camera is compatible with Eye-Fi SD cards to allow wireless transfer to the web. Footage is shot in the YouTube-compatible MPEG4 format and can be uploaded easily to any of the major social networks or blogging platforms.
The Sanyo Xacti is available in the UK from 5th March 2010.
Words by Colin Barrett, SimplyDV, from information kindly supplied by Sanyo UK. Picture supplied by Sanyo UK and used by permission.
